GOVERNMENT RESPONSES to Questions.xlsx

XLSX spreadsheet 32 KB Posted Dec 17, 2019

Attached to: PHMSA Administrative Support Services
Solicitation number: 693JK320R0005
Issued by: Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration

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Other files

File	Type	Posted
RFP F - Updated via Amendment 3.pdf	PDF	Jan 10, 2020
RFP SF30 - Amendment 2.pdf	PDF	Jan 10, 2020
RFP I - Updated via Amendment 3.pdf	PDF	Jan 10, 2020
RFP SF30 - Amendment 3.pdf	PDF	Jan 10, 2020
RFP J.1 - Updated via Amendment 3.pdf	PDF	Jan 10, 2020
RFP C SOO - Updated via Amendment 3.pdf	PDF	Jan 10, 2020
GOVERNMENT RESPONSES to Follow-Up Q&A.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Jan 10, 2020
RFP 1 Notice - Updated via Amendment 3.pdf	PDF	Jan 10, 2020
RFP L - Updated via Amendment 3.pdf	PDF	Jan 10, 2020
RFP B - Updated via Amendment 3.pdf	PDF	Jan 10, 2020
RFP 2 Notice - Price Wksht - Updated via Amendment 3.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Jan 10, 2020
RFP C SOO - Updated via Amendment 1.docx	DOCX document	Dec 17, 2019
RFP SF30 - Amendment 1.pdf	PDF	Dec 17, 2019
RFP J.1 - Updated via Amendment 1.docx	DOCX document	Dec 17, 2019
RFP G - Updated via Amendment 1.docx	DOCX document	Dec 17, 2019
RFP B - Updated via Amendment 1.docx	DOCX document	Dec 17, 2019
RFP I - Updated via Amendment 1.docx	DOCX document	Dec 17, 2019
RFP 1 Notice - Updated via Amendment 1.docx	DOCX document	Dec 17, 2019
RFP 2 Notice - Price Wksht - Updated via Amendment 1.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Dec 17, 2019
RFP H - Updated via Amendment 1.docx	DOCX document	Dec 17, 2019
RFP L - Updated via Amendment 1.docx	DOCX document	Dec 17, 2019
RFP L.pdf	PDF	Dec 2, 2019
RFP J.1 Excel.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Dec 2, 2019
RFP I.pdf	PDF	Dec 2, 2019
RFP A.pdf	PDF	Dec 2, 2019
RFP F.pdf	PDF	Dec 2, 2019
RFP D&E.pdf	PDF	Dec 2, 2019
RFP 2 Notice - Price Wksht.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Dec 2, 2019
RFP J.1.pdf	PDF	Dec 2, 2019
RFP H.pdf	PDF	Dec 2, 2019
RFP J TOC.pdf	PDF	Dec 2, 2019
RFP 1 Notice.pdf	PDF	Dec 2, 2019
RFP M.pdf	PDF	Dec 2, 2019
RFP G.pdf	PDF	Dec 2, 2019
RFP C SOO.pdf	PDF	Dec 2, 2019
RFP J.2 Question Submission Spreadsheet.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Dec 2, 2019
RFP K.pdf	PDF	Dec 2, 2019
RFP B.pdf	PDF	Dec 2, 2019

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Sheet1

"PHMSA Administrative Support Services" SECTION J.2: Question Submission Spreadsheet - WITH GOVERNMENT RESPONSES RFP Number: 693JK320Q0005

		Number	RFP Section Being Referenced	Question or Comment	Response from the Government
		1	Section L: Section III: Past Performance	Are offerors able to provide the Past Performance / Experience of Subcontractors?	Yes.
		2	Section L: Section IV: Price	The government states, "The base rates will also be used for the option period to help determine any allowable Price Adjustment, if any, to comply with FAR 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act—Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts)." With that being the case, is the OY1 rates still expected to be escalated for SCA applicable labor categories?	Yes.
		3	Section L: Section IV: Price	Government states, "Offerors must also submit Department of Labor Wage Determinations for each labor category offered for each location highlighting the corresponding labor category and rate", is the expectation that the offeror will provide all the applicable Wage Determinations for the identified Locations/LCATs and these will be attachements to the Price section?	Yes.
		4	Section L: Section IV: Price	Government states, "Offeror must also provide these values for each of its proposed subcontractors.", would the government calrify what 'values' it is referring to? If our Subcontractor will use the same proposed rates as offerred by the Prime, is the government expecting another Price sheet from the Subcontractor?	By "Values" we only mean the starting hourly rates (not fully-loaded) that the subcontractor (if there is one) is actually paying the person so that we can determine that their starting hourly rate is not less than the rate minimums set by Department of Labor. No you would not provide a separate worksheet. There are spaces highlighted in yellow on the price worksheet. Where we request the starting hourly rate (not fully-loaded) you will enter in the what that rate is (whether provided by a subcontractor or not).
		5	Section L: Section IV: Price	If a team of Prime and Subcontractor is providing our combined price, is the government expecting single price sheet? Or are multiple price sheets expected, one per team member, each proposing their rates for all the locations and positions?	Yes, we are expecting only one single price worksheet. See Answer to Question 4.
		6	Section M: Evaluation Factor 3 - Price:	Would the government advise howthe government intends to perform Price evaluation? Will the government be utilizing the 'Active Call Pricing' to compare vendor price reasonableness, against the competitors? Will the agency be creating a competitive range? or will the price evaluation be compared to the IGCE?	Fill in all boxes highlighted in yellow on the pricing worksheet. Evaluators will consider pricing for labor rates for the parent IDIQ only. We also request quoters to provide pricing for the active task order. See amended solicitation. All offered pricing should be competitive.
		7	Section M: Submission of Proposal	Government states, "Proposals must be received via email by Brandon P. Beyer, copying Loni Chinn and Mahua Mazumdar, no later than 11am Eastern Standard Time, January 3, 2020.", where as L.4 states, "L.4" states, NOTE 1: Proposals must be submitted via beta.SAM.gov. Please confirm the submission of proposal.	Proposals must be emailed to Brandon P. Beyer copying Loni Chinn and Mahua Mazumdar. Section L.4 is amended to eliminate the requirement of submitting to beta.SAM. Also, the proposal deadline is extended to 1/17/2020.
		8	L.5 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF PROPOSALS	Would the government advise if the Table of Contents, Cover page, Offer Letter, or any other anciliary attachments are excluded from page counts for each section?
Is the expectation, outside of the Excel document request, that all other attachments will be PDF format?	Table of Contents, Cover page, Offer Letter, or any other anciliary attachments are excluded from page counts for each section is excluded from the page counts. Yes, PDF format is acceptable.
		9	L.5 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF PROPOSALS	Government requests signed and executed copy of SF 1449, but the government only provided the SF 33, is that the same document?	This is a typo, see amended solicitation. SF33 and any subsequent SF30 modifications should be submitted.
		10	L.5 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF PROPOSALS	Government notes Section II is limited to 18 pages, and resumes shall be no more than 2 pages and up to 4 resumes may be provided. Generally resumes are excluded from the page count limitation, is that so for this Section? If not excluded, does the offeror have maximum page count dedicated towards resumes?	Resumes are excluded from the total page count.
		11	General	Would the government advise the current level of incumbent staff? Number of resources to be transitioned over? Also the number of average years the incumbnet staff has been supporting the PHMSA office.	Question 1: No

Question 2: There is no set number.

Question 3: Approximately 2 years.

		12	General	We notice the government plans to procure these services for two years and 6 months, rather in general we notice government performs procurements for 5 years and 6 month extension; is there a reason the government only anticpates this contract support for 30 months?	This requirement is for one 12 month period with an optional 12 month period; the government reserves the right to extend the contract if necessary an additional 6 months; however this requirement has been identified as part of DOT's Shared Services. In the future the intent is to contract for these services utilizing DOT's department-wide contract vehicles.
		13	Price Sheet	Government notes that all LCATs are applicable to DOL SCA, but the Program Manager is an Exempt person, inherent by the Manager duties, is the government in agreement that this resource will not be applicable to the DOL WD SCA?	Yes.
		14	General	The government requests Program Manager rates for all locations, would the government shed light as how the Program Manager is stipulated to manage the on-site staff? In our experience the PM is located off-site or on-site, but ultimately, there is one PM that manages the contract. Would the government please explain why a rate expected for each location and what is the estimate support hours for each location for the PM? or is the government expecting multiple PM, one for each location?	Only, one Program Manager is expected at this time. The Project Manager will be located on-site at PHMSA's Government Office location in Washington, DC. See amended solicitation. Nevertheless, offerors must fill in all boxes highlighted in yellow in the pricing worksheet.
		15	General	Is the Program Manager to be on-site or off-site?	See answer #14.
		16	B.7 - LABOR CATEGORY RATES	Government expects 'fully burdened labor hour rates' but the checked off box states the rates must only be for 'contractor employees only'. If we are proposing a subcontractor, is the government not wanting subcontractor rates to be submitted?	See amended Price Worksheet. Collumns I and P must include the "Hourly Fully-Loaded Rate Being Offered," but Collumns J and Q are asking for the unburdened rate that is actually being paid to the contractor employee (whether by the prime or the subcontractor). If that is a subcontractor rate then still submit it.
		17	C 4.2 - 4.3	The way we reach Section C, it is in our determination that the level of experience and responsbility, from lowest to highest is the following; Administrative Assistant I, Administrative Assistant II, Administrative Assistant III, Administrative Assistant IV, Executive Assistant. Is that the same expectation that the government has?	Yes, that is the same expectation.
		18	G.5.	Does the government request that the Offeror complete this clause and provide as part of the Administrative section?	Yes
		19	H.7.	If the Offeror utilizes a Temporary Staffing Agency, the government states "PHMSA will compensate the Contractor only for the direct cost the Contractor is charged by the Temporary Staffing Agency, but not more than the approved Labor Category Rates in Section B, Paragraphs B.6.1 through B.6.9. The Contractor will not earn any profit/fee on the use of a temporary staffing agency. This policy is implemented to ensure that all employees working under this IDIQ (full-time, part-time, or temporary) are receiving wages in accordance with the Service Contract Act minimum guidelines." We do not understand why the Offeror cannot charge a fee to a Temporary Staffing Agency's direct cost to the Prime vendor, having a subcontractor or third party does not impact the policy that applicable employees must still be paid SCA miniumum wage; if an employee is classified SCA by Prime contract, then employee must be such for Prime/Subcontractor/Temporary Agency or any other third party vendor - as stipulated by DOL.	The intent is the government will not pay for Temp Agency fees etc.
		20	H.7.	Government does not address the use of Professional Employment Organizations (PEO), these are allowed by SBA, FAR and CFR and are considered Co-employer for designated employees. The full responsbility of the employee still retains with the Primary employer, in this case the Offeror, only the administrative responsbility for pay/benefits/compliance is transferred to the PEO - who generally have demonstrated capabilities to provide better benefits and compliance than a small business. Would the government allow a offeror to utilize a PEO as part of their organizational structure? Is the PEO considered a subcontractor for this bid and we need to identify them in H7?	No.
		21	General	Would the government provide the incumbent contract numbers? Also please advise how many resources are actively engaged on those incumbent contract and how many of those are expected to transition to this contract?	The incumbent is UniSpec Enterprises, Inc; Contract number: DTPH5613D000001; current period of performance 6/1/2013 - 1/31/2020.
		22	Applicable Clauses	The RFQ has the following clause '52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires' - would the government please provide the equivalent rates for the LCATs and per location?	No.
		23		Grafton is a Small Disadvantaged Woman Owned Businesses, we are not 8(a). Would we be allowed to participate in this RFP?	No, Not as a Prime. Only SBA certifed 8(a) companies can participate as the prime contractor.
		24	RFP 1 Notice section 3.B	“Include summarized resumes of select personnel. Proposals may provide no more than four resumes. The resumes of Key Personnel should be among the four resumes.” Please confirm that the Program Manger is the only resume required for this RFP.	See amended solicitation; Program Manager is the only Key Personnel labor category; however, Four (4) resumes must be submitted: (1) Program Manager, (1) Executive Assistant, (1) Administrative Assistant IV, and (1) Administrative Assistant III.
		25	Section L.4 / L.5.8	Section L.4 “NOTE 1: Proposals must be submitted via beta.SAM.gov”
Section L.5.8 “Proposals must be received via email by Brandon P. Beyer, copying Loni Chinn and Mahua Mazumdar, no later than 11am Eastern Standard Time, January 3, 2020.” Please clarify how the proposal shall be submitted both sections are stating two different ways of submitting.	Submissions should be sent via email addresses provided. See amended solicitation
		26	Section B.7.1	Section B.7.1 Please clarify if what must be entered in the table provided in B.7.1.	Do not enter anything in those tables. Put your pricing information into the Pricing Worksheet.
		27	Section L.5.C	Section L.5.C. “Offerors must also submit Department of Labor Wage Determinations for each labor category offered for each location highlighting the corresponding labor category and rate.” Do the offers have to submit the entire wage deamination PDF or will the wage determination ID number be enough.	Wage determination ID numbers are acceptable.
		28	General	Can you provide incumbent contract info?	See answer #21.
		29	Price Proposal	On the excel price list, it lists Program Manager labor category which is not included in SCA wages. Can you confirm that we can N/A the column for SCA labor rate for this position?	Yes, it's not applicable.
		30	L.4	It states that proposals should be submitted through SAM.gov. However on the bottom of page 78, proposals should be emailed. Please advise if we can email our final proposals?	See answer #25.
		31	SOO	Can you confirm that Program Manager is the only key personnel dedicated to this contract?	See answer #24.
		32	SOO	The SOO states that PM position is a HEADQUARTERS position. Does the PM need to be onsite 100% of the time or is contractor site / remote work available?	The PM should be on-site at least 90% of the time.
		33	Section L	The RFP states that we can submit up to 4 resumes to include the PM (key personnel). Can you clarify what other resumes you require besides key personnel?	See answer #24.
		34	section 2	Does resumes count towards the 18 page limit?	See answer #10.
		35	section 3 past performance	Can we utilize past performance info of our subcontractor teaming partners?	Yes.
		36	Price Proposal	Do you have specific SCA labor categories you want us to map for the pricing of the labor positions?	All positions excluding Program Manager.
		37	Section L	Can you confirm font size for the proposal?	12 font
		38	RFP L, page 76, Section L.5.1.b.i	The Government asks Offerors to identify Key Personnel in Section L.5.1.b.i. In the Statement of Objectives, the Government identifies the Program Manager as Key Personnel. In Section L.5.1.b.iv the RFQ states: "Include summarized resumes of select personnel. Proposals may provide no more than four resumes. The resumes of Key Personnel should be among the four resumes."Since it appears that the Government has only named one position as Key Personnel, are the remaining three Key Personnel positions at the contractor's discretion to select?	See answer #24.
		39	RFP C, page 12, Section 3.2	In Section 3.2 of the Statement of Objectives (SOO), it states: "For any absence exceeding one day, the contractor must provide appropriate qualified replacement personnel." This requirement seems significantly onerous on an IDIQ that is 100% set-aside for 8(a) small businesses. Typically, on Administrative Support Services RFQs of similar size and scope, we have seen "qualified replacement personnel" requirements that state 10 consecutive business days triggers the need for a replacement. As it stands now, keeping the current clause in the proposal reduces each contractor to ultimately either becoming, or partnering with, a temporary staffing company. Will the Government consider changing the requirement from "any absence exceeding one day," to "any absence exceeding 10 business days," as seen in other similar RFQs?	See amended solicitation.
		40	RFP Notice 1, Section 2 (Contract Order/Type and Award)	Can the Government please clarify if the $7.5M size standard for NAICS 561110 is applicable on this RFQ?	Yes.
		41	Section L.5.c Section IV: Price	The Government states that 'PHMSA reqeusts a soft-copy submission in Microsoft Excel' of the pricing worksheet with all yellow highlighted boxes filled out. Does this mean the Government requires Offerors to submit the soft copy, Microsoft Excel file via electronic delivery through beta.SAM.gov? Or does the Government require offerors to place the Microsoft Excel file on a CD-ROM and return to the Government via mail / FedEx delivery?	See amended solicitation. Submit via email to Brandon P. Beyer copying Loni Chinn and Mahua Mazumdar. Do not submit via beta.SAM.gov.
		42	Section L.5.c Section IV: Price	The Government states that 'Labor rates for the actual resources must conform with requirements of the Service Contract Act (SCA) set by the Department of Labor.' However, the actual Area Wage Determination numbers and applicable Revisions are not referenced within the solicitation. In order to ensure that the Government receives offers that are consistent, will the Government provide clarification on which Area Wage Determination and Revision should be used for each performance location referenced within the Price Worksheet?	See amended solicitation.
		43	Section L.5.c Section IV: Price
RFP 2 Notice - Price Wksht	The Government instructs offerors to conform to the SCA for positions tied to the Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant IV, Administrative Assistant III, Administrative Assistant II, Administrative Assistant I positions; however, there is not any additional detail on which Occupation Code or Position Title within the SCA Area Wage Determinations that each labor category should be mapped to. If offerors do not have specific information related to the mapping of these categories, the government may receive pricing that could be significantly skewed to lower administrative labor position types. This could create a significant issue given the Government's requirement to ensure compliance with FAR 52.222-17. Will the government clarify on which labor categories within the Price Worksheet map to which Occupation Codes within the Services Contract Act Area Wage Determinations?	See amended solicitation.
		44	Notice Document, Para 8. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS	Proposals must be received via email by Brandon P. Beyer, copying Loni Chinn and Mahua Mazumdar, no later than 11am Eastern Standard Time, January 3, 2020. While RFP Secction L document, L.4 NOTES NOTE 1: Says, Proposals must be submitted via beta.SAM.gov. Question: Can the Government please clarify exactly how bidders are to submit proposals? Direct to the POCs listed or via beta.SAM.gov?	See answer #25.
		45	Re: Notice Document: Proposals may provide no more than four resumes.	Q: Can the Government please clarify the requirement for resumes? What position (s) does the Government expect or require resumes to be provided for on this IDIQ bid effort?	See answer #24.
		46	Re: Notice Document: Proposals may provide no more than four resumes.	Please confirm that proposals with at least one but no more than four resumes of qualified individuals will be evaluated/weighted equally against other proposals with more but no more than four resumes.	See amended solicitation...See answer #24.
		47	Re: Notice Document: Proposals may provide no more than four resumes.	The resumes of Key Personnel should be among the four resumes Q: The only position noted inthe SOO as Key Personnel is the Program Manager. As the requirement says the “resumes”of Key Personnel should be among the four resumes, does this mean the Government is requiring more than one resume for the Program Manager positionto be included? And, does this mean that at least two, but no more than four resumes is the requirement?	See answer #24.
		48	RFP Price Worksheet	Since the Service Contract Act (SCA) applies to this acquisition will the Government please clarify the intention of Anticipated Labor Category and Proposed Labor Category? Are they projected to be one in the same?	Anticipated Labor Category and the labor category the contractor proposes ("Proposed Labor Category") are projected to be one in the same.
		49	L.5.1.b, page 76	Section II must be limited to 18 pages. No more than four resumes should be included, limited to 2 pages each. Will the Government please confirm that the pages allocated to resumes are exempt from the 18-page limit in Section II?	See answer #10.
		50	L.5.1.c, page 76	Section IV, Labor rates for the actual resources must conform with requirements of the Service Contract Act (SCA) set by the Department of Labor. Will the Government please advise which labor categories are SCA and provide the WD for each location?	Yes. See amended solicitation - particularly the amended Price Worksheet.
		51	L.5.1.c, page 76	Instructions for Section III Past Performance and Section IV Price are both labeled "c." For reference purposes, will the Government please clarify that Instructions for Section IV Price should be labeled as L.5.1.d?	You may label it Section IV Price in the proposal you submit.
		52		Will the Government please clarify subcontractor submission requirements, and how sub and prime rates should be listed on the provided worksheet?	See Answer #16
		53	RFP_SOO, para 3.2 Support Hours	SOO states for any absence exceeding one day the contractor must provide an appropriate qualified replacement. Will the Gov’t allow the contractor to pre-qualify candidates through the security and in-processing, so a qualified replacement is available and authorized to work within a day’s notice? If not, how does the contractor comply with this requirement when it states it takes five days (RFP_H) to process for an ID Badge.	This will be amended to 3 days. The government will take into account reasonable considerations related to the security in processing timeframes.
		54	RFP_L, Section 1.5	Can the Government provide the minimum validity period?	No
		55	RFP_L, b.iv Resumes	It states proposals may provide no more than four (4) resumes of select personnel of which have to include key personnel. Is the Government requesting 2 key personnel resumes, one for the IDIQ PM and one for the Order PM?	See answer #24.
		56	RFP_L, b.iv Resumes	It states proposals may provide no more than four (4) resumes of select personnel of which have to include key personnel. Other than key personnel resumes, what other resumes for positions is the Government expecting offerors to submit, such as contractor support personnel or actual Administrative Assistants working on the order?	See answer #24.
		57	RFP_L, b.iv Resumes	Do the four resumes count toward the Section II 18 page maximum or not?	See answer #10.
		58	RFP_L, Section III Past Performance	Can offerors use subcontractor references as part of the three maximum?	Yes, past performance should include both prime and sub, any combination of both.
		60	RFP_L, L-1	It states offerors must complete fill-ins of provisions by reference. It does not state where to provide the fill-in provision. Where in the proposal is that to be provided; would that be in Section I?	Yes, provide those in Section I.
		61	RFP_L, L-4	It states in NOTE 1 to submit proposals via beta.SAM. There is no place that we see to submit a proposal via beta.SAM. Can the Gov't provide where that is?

Additionally, the site is experiencing regular issues and downtime. Is there an alternative method for submission if beta.SAM goes down the day proposals are due?	See answer #25.
		62	RFP_L, Section IV Price, Price Worksheet	For the Active Call Price section, should offerors use 1880 hours for all labor lines for the Base and Option Year pricing?	Yes.
		63	RFP_SOO, 4.0 Position Descriptions and Qualifications	Can the Government provide the Occupational Code on the Wage Determination for each of the Labor Categories covered under the SCA?	Yes, see amended solicitation for updated Price Worksheet.
		64	RFP_2_Notice_-_Price_Wksht	Can the Government provide the most up to date wage determination number or full WD for each of the locations being priced?	Yes, see amended solicitation for updated Price Worksheet.
		65	RFP_L_.5.2 Evaluatio Factor 1_subpoint 4	Subpoint 4 of this section states the Government will assess "… 4. Contractor's management style:"

Will the Government please clarify what level of definition and detail they are seeking with this requirement?	No
		66	RFP page 4 of 4 & Section L.4_NOTE 1	Item 8. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS directs offerors to email proposals to Beyer, Chinn, and Mazumdar. However, Section L.4_NOTE 1 directs offerors to submit proposals via beta.SAM.gov.

Given the initial issues and limitations being experienced with beta.SAM.gov, is it acceptable to strickly submit proposals to the indicated email recipients of Beyer, Chinn, and Mazumdar?	See answer #25.
		67	RFP_F.6	The Government indicates they will provide "… other general office supplies…".

Does this reference include provision of consumable items as well (paper, toner, envelopes, etc.)?	Yes.
		68	RFP_H.12.1_Phase-in Transition	Will the Government provide service tenure data for personnel at each of the places of performance? This data will be necessary to determine accrued vacation time for existing personnel who wish to remain with the contract through transition.	No.
		69	RFP_C_3.5 Training Requirements	Will employees be required to use Federal timekeeping systems, or may they use contractor provided systems?

If Federal systems are required, will the Government provide training on their use?	Contractor provided systems.
		70		The pricing worksheet calls for Administrative Assistant I, II, III, and IV. However, the SCA table has only a single Administrative Assistant Labor Category. Please clarify?	See Amended Solicitation. The pricing worksheet will provide the SCA labor categories.
		71		With reference to the "Overall BPA Rates" in the pricing worksheet, does each state require a Program Manager or is it 1 Program Manager for the entire program?	See answer #24.
		72		With regard to the Page count, are the Table of Contents and Cover Letter included in the page limit of 18 pages?	See answer #10.
		73	Section L. L.4. Notes	Note 1 . states that proposals must be submitted via bets.SAM.gov., however, #8 Submission of Proposals, stated that proposals must be be received via email by Brandon P. Beyer, copying Loni Chinn and Mahua Mazumdar. Would the Government please clarify the appropriate proposal submittal process?	See answer #25.
		74	Section L. L.5. Instructions, b. Section II, iv.	Do resumes submitted count toward the 18 page limit of Section II, if 4 resumes are submitted totaling 8 pages, does that leave just 10 pages for the remainder of the response?	See answer #10.
		75	Section K.	Should the offeror include a completed copy of Section K in the proposal or just acknowledge that Representation, Cerification, and Other Statements have been completed in SAM?	Acknowledgement is acceptable. We will verify in SAM.gov.
		76	Section K.	If the Government requires a completed copy of Section K with the proposal submission, in which section should it be included or should it be provided as a separate attachment?	See answer #75.
		77	Section L.	Does the Government have any preferred formatting requirements for proposal responses, i.e. font, font size, cover page, table of contents, etc.?	See answer #37.
		78	General	Is there an incumbent contractor, if s o, can the Government give us the name of the incumbent?	See answer #21.
		79	G.5. SUBCONTRACTS - ADVANCE NOTIFICATION AND CONSENT	Does the Offeror need to list the Subcontractor(s) in RFP G, and inlcude in the Proposal package?	Yes.
		80	H.12.1 Phase-in Transition	Can the government provide the Incumbent award document number?	See answer #21.
		81	J.1	Can the government indicate if the list of current employee resources are already working in the locations for the incumbent? If yes, can you list the number of months of services provided by the incument resources?	No.
		82	General	Will the government allow cover page and table of contents to be outside the page limit for each Section?	See answer #10.
		83	REP C 3.2	Because the government requests that any personnel who is absent from duty for more than one (1) day have a suitable replacement, is it the government’s expectation that the contractor should retain on-call personnel for each labor category in each location within the Call?	See answer #53. It is at the discretion of the Contractor.
		84	RFP F F.5	The government expresses that this solicitation is for non-personal services, however the solicitation reads that the government has the right to review contractor personnel candidates for certain labor categories. Please provide clarity as these two statements conflict each other.	The review referes to resumes and possible meet and greets.
		85	L.5, p.76	Who are the key personnel?	See answer #24.
		86	C, 4, p.14	This section says the Program Manager is a Headquarters position, but the pricing matrix references Program Managers in each location. Will the contract require on-site program management in addition to off-site?	See answer #14.
		87	C, 4, p.14	Does the off-site Program Manager need to be in the Washington, DC area?	Yes.
		88	C, 4, p.14	This section references four resumes, but only two are key personnel. What labor categories should we use for the additional two resumes?	See answer #24.
		89	L	Do we submit the proposal via email or beta.SAM.gov?	See answer #25.
		90	L.4, P 75	How do we submit via beta.SAM.gov? We were unable to find that functionality on the website	See answer #25.
		91	RFP 2 Notice, Price Worksheet	The Service Contract Act does not have the labor categories Adminstrative Assistant I, II, III and IV. Does the government expect offerors to propose SCA LCATS?	Yes.
		92	General	Is this a new requirement or existing? If it is an existing requirement, who is the incumbent and what is the value of the current contract?	The incumbent is UniSpec Enterprises, Inc; Contract number: DTPH5613D000001; current period of performance 6/1/2013 - 1/31/2020. Current value is not relevent because the requirement and number of resources is different from this RFP.
		93	RFP 1 Notice	Can the government government confirm that the period of performance is two calendar years? This seems like an extremely short POP for an IDIQ.	Yes, it is one base year and one option year.
		94	General	Are there current employees in any of the offices? Can the government provide length of service for all?	No length of services will be provided.
		95	General	What is the historitcal Level of Effort for this requirement? Historically, how many resources have been long term vs short term?	Over 90% have been long-term.
		96	C, 4, p.14	Are resumes excluded from the page count?	See answer #21.
		97	C, 4, p.14	Do we need to provide Letters of Intent for all personnel? Are these letters excluded from the page count?	No, this is not expected to be provided. If provided, this will count as part of the page count.
		98	J.1	What kind of response does the government want for the active Task Order?	The Government will use the same response provided to this solicitation for the Active Task Order.
		99	B.8	Section B.8 indicates "Overtime hours accrue when a single resource works more than 40 hours in a single week." One of the locations is in California, which requires overtime to be paid on any hours over 8 worked in a single day instead of being based on a 40 hour single work week. Please confirm the California overtime requirement will be added in this section.	See amended solicitation.
		100	Section I	Many of the clauses included in Section I seem to be outdated. Would the Government provide updated clauses applicable to this solicitation?	No.
		101	Section I	Please confirm that FAR Clause 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2017) (E.O. 13706) is applicable to this solitication.	See amended solicitation.
		102	Section L.4 and L.5.8	Section L.4 NOTE 1 indicates "proposals must be submitted via beta.SAM.gov", while Section L.5.8 indicates that "proposals must be received via email by Brandon P. Beyer, copying Loni Chinn and Mahua Mazumdar, no later than 11 am Eastern Standard Time, January 3, 2020." Please confirm whether proposals are to be submitted via email or beta.SAM.gov.	See answer #7.
		103	Section L.5.1.b.	The RFP states that (Section II must be limited to 18 pages. Pages beyond 18 will not be evaluated.) Please confirm that summarized resumes are included in this page count limitation.	See answer #10.
		104	RFP J.1 Excel	Are all positions required for the First Task Order currently filled? If not, please note which positions are vacant at this time.	The Pricing Worksheet sufficiently describes the Government's current needs for the First Task Order.
		105	Section I (Clause 52.219-18)	FAR Clause 52.219-18 (a) states "offers are solicited only from small business concerns…which meet the following criteria at the time of submission of offer- (1) (DEVIATION) NAICS Code 561110 is specifically included in the Offeror's approved business plan; and..." While our business plan does specifically address Professional and Administrative Support Services, it does not include NAICS codes, nor is it required to. Please clarify that the intent of the statement from the subject clause is intended to mean that the offeror must have NAICS Code 561110 listed in the System for Award Management as one of its NAICS Codes in which it qualifies as a small business in accordance with the SBA Size Standards.	This clause will remain as written with the business plan requirement.
		106	Section I (Clause 52.219-18)	FAR Clause 52.219-18 (d) states "(2) (DEVIATION) The Contractor, Unispec Enterprises, will notify the US DOT/PHMSA Contracting Officer…" Will the name of the previously awarded offeror be replaced in this clause so that Unispec Enterprises is removed?	Yes.
		107	RFP L -- Section III: Past Performance	Under FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iii) and GAO B-407917.2, agencies should take into account affiliate past performance unless restricting the use of such affiliate past performance reasonably relates to the agency’s needs in choosing a contractor that will best serve the government’s interest.

Question: May an offeror rely on affiliate past performance to demonstrate prior experience?

Question: If an offeror may use affiliate past performance to demonstrate prior experience, (i) what must an offeror submit with its proposal in order for that offeror to use affiliate past performance to demonstrate prior experience, and (ii) are there any limitations on the type of affiliate past performance that an offer may use to demonstrate prior experience?

Question: If affiliate past performance is not permitted, what is the basis for the restriction?	For past performance "this section should describe the contractor's experience providing services similar to those required in the Parent IDIQ SOO & Order work description." This can be experience that the contractor obtained by working with another contractor such as in a subcontractor or teaming arrangement; however, the contractor should specify how much work they actually provided, such as number of personnel, length of time, dollar value, etc.
		108	RFP L -- Section III: Past Performance	Section III: The Past Performance section requires 3 references. Must all 3 references be from the prime?	See amended solicitation. Out of the three references at least one must be for the prime.
		109	RFP L and RFP C	RFP L Section II states that "Proposals may propose no more than four resumes. The resumes of Key Personnel should be among the four resumes".

RFP C SOO, only lists the Program Manager as the 1 Key Personnel.

Can the Government please clarify the resume requirement? If four resumes are needed, can you please identify for which labor categories outside of the Program Manager?	See answer #24
		110	RFP SOO Section C – 3.1.1	Will the Government provide a copy of the office procedures referenced in this section.	No.
		111	RFP SOO Section C – 3.1.1	Will the Government provide a list of the various data systems that require data entry?	No.
		112	RFP SOO Section C – 3.1.4	Will the Government provide documentation, including user manuals, procedures or instructions for the PHMSA Executive Correspondence tracking system?	No.
		113	RFP SOO Section C – 3.1.5	Will the Government provide documentation including user manuals, procedures or instructions for PHMSA requests for services?	No.
		114	RFP SOO Section C – 3.1.5	Will the Government provide documentation including user manuals, procedures or instructions for the process which PHMSA process purchase or services requisitions?	No.
		115	RFP SOO Section C – 3.1.6	Does the Government use any certain in-house or COTS system scheduling conference rooms?	In-house.
		116	RFP SOO Section C – 3.1.7	Will the Government provide documentation, including user manuals, procedures or instructions for the PHMSA Approved Travel System?	Yes.
		117	RFP SOO Section C – 3.1.8	Will the Government provide blank copies of personnel action forms?	No.
		118	RFP SOO Section C – 3.1.8	Will the Government provide documentation, including user manuals, procedures or instructions for the PHMSA Time Keeping System?	Yes.
		119	RFP SOO Section C – 3.1.9	Will the Government provide documentation, including user manuals, procedures or instructions for the PHMSA Purchasing System?	Yes.
		120	RFP L	On December 5, 2019 the SBA issued a new rule that small business companies can certify their size standard based on either 3-year receipts, or 5-year receipts, effective January 6, 2020. To allow for greater competition, would the government please consider extending the proposal due date to January 6, 2020 to account for the new SBA size standard rule?

Source: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-12-05/pdf/2019-26041.pdf?utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list&utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email	See amended solicitation. The proposal deadline will be extended to 1/17/2020.
		121	RFP L Section II	Do resumes count against the 18-page limitation?	See answer #10.
		122	RFP L L.4 NOTE 1	RFP section L.4 Note 1 states that "Proposals must be submitted via beta.SAM.gov.". The RFP later states in section 8 that proposals are to be submitted via email.

Can the government please clarify the proposal submission requirement?	See answer #7
		123	RFP H	Is there a security clearance requirement for this contract?	Yes. Public Trust.
		124	B.7 LABOR CATEGORY RATES	The checkbox used in this section suggests that the DoT is allowing only rates for contractor employees, disallowing rates for subcontractor employees.

Is this the DoT's intention?	The contractor may add information to their pricing section, but the Government expects that all boxes in the pricing worksheet have values. See also answer #4.
		125	L.5, Section III: Past Performance	May a newly formed unpopulated joint venture, with an 8(a) company as one of the joint venture members, be awarded the contract?	Teaming and prime/subcontractor arrangements will be permitted where the 8(a) partner provides at least 51% of the work.
		126	Section M, and L.5, Section III: Past Performance	For evaluation of past performance, will the DoT accept the past performance of the members of the unpopulated joint venture in lieu of the past performance of the joint venture?	In a teaming or prime/subcontractor arrangement, the Government will accept past performance of the members.
		127	L.5.1.b.iv and SOO 4.1	The PWS states to include four resumes with Section II and the SOO only calls out one position the Program Manager as Key Personnel. Does the quoter determine the other three Key Personnel themselves?	See answer #24.
		128	L.5.1.b.iv and SOO 4.1	Are the resumes included in the the Section II page limit?	See answer #24.
		129	RFP C SOO 4.1	Will the government consider additional years' of experience in similar positions as an alternative to the Bachelor's Degree requirement for the Program Manager?	No.
		130	General	As all but the PM role are Service Contract Act positions, will the government provide the applicable wage determinations for each geographic site? In addition, can the government confirm that no site is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.	Yes, see amended price worksheet in amended solicitation for the wage determination numbers for each site. No site is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement on the current contract.
		131	RFP I 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive
Orders—Commercial Items. (Jan 2013)	Although FAR 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires is selected, we could not find the Statement of Equivalent Rates. Will the government provide Equivalent Rates for all positions required by the IDIQ.	No.
		132	RFP 2 Notice Price Worksheet	With only a 15 day transition period, it is imperative that an incoming contractor hire some if not most of the incumbent SCA staff on the contract to ensure continuity of operations and a low risk transition. An offeror cannot provide informed and accurate pricing for the incumbent employees relative to costs of SCA-mandated vacation time based on employee longevity on the contract. This is especially true for a Labor Hour based pricing where the contractor will only be reimbursed for hours worked. For example, an employee with 20 years' experience at all sites performing similar requirements on predecessor contracts would be entitled to 160 hours vacation, while an employee with only 2 years is entitled to 80 hours vacation. In addition, all employees are entitled to up to 56 hours of sick leave. In addition, based upon the specific wage determination, Holiday hours can vary from 80 to 88 hours.

The government provided 1,880 as the standard for hours in a year per FTE. However, the maximum number of productive hours in a year is 1,856 (2,080 - 80 Holiday - 80 Vacation - 56 Sick), and oftentimes could be less.

Will the government provide an updated hours standard per FTE based upon the above, including sick leave and some factor of incumbent SCA vacation based upon longevity of service?	1880 is the standard hours for this requirement.
		133	RFP 2 Notice Price Worksheet	Where are offerors to provide separate subcontractor rates for the IDIQ rates within the price worksheet? In addition, where are we to provide the	Contractors can add to the pricing worksheet, providing additional information related to subcontractor rates, so long as they complete all current boxes highlighted in yellow. Regardless of what subcontractors are charging the prime, the government expects to see fully-loaded rates that PHMSA will be paying for every labor category.
		134	L.5 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF PROPOSALS c. Section IV: Price	In addition, where are offerors to provide Department of Labor Wage Determinations for each labor category for subcontractors as required by L.5 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF PROPOSALS c. Section IV: Price?	See answer #27. This should be under Section IV: Price.
		135	RFP 2 Notice - Price Worksheet	For non-exempt positions, the SCA directory only has an occupation code for Administrative Assistant, it does not have specific codes and rates listed separately for Administrative Assistant I through IV - Please provide the equivalent occupation codes for Administrative Assistant I through IV. (Example, use General Clerk as an equivalent)	See amended solicitation for updated Price Worksheet.
		136	RFP 2 Notice - Price Worksheet	For non-exempt position, SCA directory does not have a specific code and rate listed separately for Executive Assistant - Please provide the equivalent occupation code for Executive Assistant.	See answer #135.
		137	RFP 2 Notice - Price Worksheet	What is "Active Call Pricing"?	See amended solicitation. References to "Active Call" will be changed to "Active Task Order" pricing. Also, any reference to BPA will be changed to "IDIQ."
		138	RFP 2 Notice - Price Worksheet	How is "Active Call Pricing" different from "Overall BPA Rates"?	See answer #138. Labor rates submitted for the IDIQ should be used to calculate task order pricing.
		139	RFP 1 Notice, Section 2, Contract/Order Type and Award	Is this a non-personal service contract?	Yes, as stated in the solicitation.
		140	RFP	Is there an incumbent?	See answer #21.
		141	RFP	If there is an incumbent, how many positions are currently filled?	Yes. UniSpec Enterprises is the current incumbent. The number of current positions applicable to this requirement are laid out in the Pricing Worksheet - Active Task Order Section.
		142	RFP	If there is an incumbent, what is the average years of service of current/incumbent employees for the non-exempt positions?	See answer #24.
		143	RFP	If there is an incumbent, what is the current contract value?	See answer #92.
		144	NA	Who is the incumbent?	See answer #21.
		145	NA	Are all the current Task Order FTE's currently staffed?	Almost all positions are currently staffed.
		146	RFP C, Section 4	Are Key Personnel resumes required?	See answer #24.
		147	RFP L.5 1.b Section II Page.76	Do offeror need to provide Proposed Approach (Technical, Management, and Staffing) for both the Overall IDIQ and the First IDIQ Order? I Mean do prime needs to address four subjects i,ii,iii, iV separtely for the overall IDIQ and First IDIQ order in proposal?	No. The same proposal for the Parent IDIQ would be used for the First IDIQ Order.
		148	RFP L.5 1.b Section II Point i. Page.76	Please confirm that Order work description is nothing but IDIQ SOO areas and in First IDIQ order response offeror must address plan/approach to accomplish IDIQ SOO areas.	See answer #147
		149	RFP L.5 1.b Section II Point iv. Page.76	Shall offeror need to provide 4 resumes for overall IDIQ and 4 for First IDIQ order that is total 8? Please clarify, because Section II is limited to 18pages and 8 resumes itself cover 16pages with each resume limited 2pages.	See answer #24.
		150	RFP L.5 2. Evaluation Element 2 – Past Performance: Page.78	Evaluation Element 2 – Past Performance: Although not limited to the following items, the evaluator(s) may consider responses from references, quality of work, customer service, compliance with performance schedules, period of performance length, contract value, and contractor’s cost control on those contracts.

Is this para talking about past performance or PPQ past performance questionnaire?	Past performance, not a questionaire.
		151	RFP K.	Does offeror need to submit RFP K Representation and Certifications document in proposal?	See answer #75.
		152		Is this the whole new requirement or else replacement to any present contract? If not new contract who is the incumbent?	See answer #21.
		153	RFP 693JK320R0005	1) DOT-PHMSA-Administrative Support Services-RFP 693JK320R0005

2) DOT-PHMSA-MOBIS-RFQ-PHMSA Professional Support Services-RFQ693JK320Q0003.

Are these to similar contracts or two individual different opportunities?	Two individual different opportunities.
		154	RFP Notice 1: Responsive Submission 3.b.iv	Document states summarized resumes of select personnel. Provide no more than 4. The resumes of Key Personnel should be amont the four resumes. Is the Program Manager the only Key Personnel identified?	See answer #24.
		155	B.7	Can the government explain the reason for wanting rates for "contractor employees only" vs. "contractor employees and subcontractor employees"? Are they not considered one in the same?	They are the same.
		156	B.7.1 through B.7.10	Which SCA occupational code is equivalent to each Labor Catefory proposed?	See answer #135.
		157	G.4	Reference is made to Section C, Paragraph C.8. This paragraph number is not included in the document. Please advise.	See amended solicitation. This reference will be amended to "See Section C, part 4.1.
		158	H.12.1	What is the name of the incumbent contractor and the current contract number?	See answer #21.
		159	H.12.1	What is the total current contract duration and contract funding ?	See answer #21.
		160	H.12.1	Would the government provide for each employee on the current contract, the labor category, contract start date (or contract tenure), and work location county?	No. Not at this time.
		161	H.7	Reference is made to Section B, Paragraphs B.6.1 through B.6.9. These paragraph numbers are not included in the document. Please advise.	See amended solicitation. This reference will be amended to reference rates in the Pricing Worksheet.

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated Dec 17, 2019.